Starter control apparatus for automotive vehicles

Abstract

A starter control apparatus for automotive vehicles comprises a key-board arranged to be operated by an operator prior to operation of a key switch for producing an electric code signal indicative of identification of the operator, a collator arranged to memorize a specific code for the vehicle's proprietor and responsive to the electric code signal to produce a concord signal therefrom when the contents of the electric code signal accords with the memorized specific code and to produce a discord signal therefrom when the contents of the electric code signal discords with the memorized specific code, and a power supply control circuit arranged to permit the electric power supply to a starter circuit for a prime mover of the vehicle in response to operation of the key switch when received the concord signal from the collator and to prohibit the electric power supply to the starter circuit when received the discord signal from the collator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A starter control apparatus for a vehicle having a starter circuit activating a starter motor for a prime move of the vehicle when supplied with electric power from an electric power source, an ignition circuit cooperating with said starter circuit for effecting start of said prime mover when supplied with electric power from said power source, and an operator-actuable key switch arranged to selectively interrupt electric power to said starter and ignition circuits in a designated inoperative position thereof and to conduct said electric power to said starter and ignition circuits in a designed operative position thereof, the starter control apparatus comprising: input means, operable by an operator prior to operation of said key switch, for producing an electric code signal entered by said operator;   collator means, having a specific code memorized therein and responsive to said electric code signal, for outputting while activated a concord signal when said electric code signal accords with said memorized specific code and for outputting while activated a discord signal when said electric code signal discords with said memorized specific code;   power supply circuit means, connected to said power source, said key switch and said input means, for activating said collator means in response to a signal from said input means and for maintaining said collator means activated while said key switch is maintained in its operative position;   first power supply control means, responsive to said collator means and said key switch, for conducting said electric power to said starter circuit when said key switch is in its operative condition and said collator means is outputting said concord signal, and for interrupting electric power to said starter circuit when said collator means is outputting said discord signal; and   second power supply control means, connected to said starter and ignition circuits and responsive to said collator means, for conducting electric power to said ignition circuit when said key switch is in its operative condition and said collator means is outputting said concord signal, and for interrupting electric power to said ignition circuit when said collator means is outputting said concord signal, and for interrupting electric power to said ignition circuit when said collator means is outputting said discord signal while said starter circuit is directly connected to said power source for activation of said starter motor.   
     
     
       2. A starter control apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said second power supply control means comprises a control relay connected to said ignition circuit and means for energizing said control relay in response to said discord signal from said collator means while said starter circuit is connected to said power source; and said apparatus further includes   a fuse disposed between said key switch and said ignition circuit, said fuse being connected to said control relay so as to be grounded upon energization of said control relay.   
     
     
       3. A starter control apparatus as in claim 2, further including a circuit breaker disposed between said fuse and said ignition circuit, said circuit breaker being connected to said control relay so as to be opened due to energization of said control relay. 
     
     
       4. A starter control apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said power supply circuit means comprises timer means for maintaining said collator means activated for a predetermined period of time while said key switch is in its inoperative condition and for deactivating said collator means upon lapse of said predetermined period of time. 
     
     
       5. A starter control apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said power supply circuit means further comprises release switch means connected thereto for producing a release signal when actuated and for maintaining said release signal when in its actuated condition; and wherein   said timer means includes means responsive to said release switch for maintaining said collator means activated when said timer means is applied with said release signal and for deactivating said collator means upon disappearance of said release signal.   
     
     
       6. A starter control apparatus for a vehicle having a starter circuit activating a starter motor for a prime mover of the vehicle when supplied with electric power from an electric power source, an operator-actuable key switch arranged to interrrupt said electric power to said starter circuit in an inoperative position thereof and to conduct said electric power to said starter circuit in an operative position thereof, and an electrically operated fuel supply device connected to said power source through said key switch and operative with said starter circuit for effecting start of said prime mover, the starter control apparatus comprising: input means, operable by an operator prior to operation of said key switch, for producing an electric code signal indicative of identification entered by said operator;   collator means, having a specific code memorized therein and responsive to said electric code signal, for outputting while activated a concord signal therefrom when said electric code signal accords with said memorized specific code and for outputting a discord signal therefrom when said electric code signal discords with said memorized specific code;   power supply circuit means, connected to said power source, said key switch and said input means, for activating said collator means in response to a signal from said input means and for maintaining said collator means activated while said key switch is maintained in its operative position;   power supply control means, responsive to said collator means, for conducting said electric power to said fuel supply device in response to actuation of said key switch when applied with said concord signal from said collator means and for interrupting said electric power to said fuel supply device when applied with said discord signal from said collator means;   a control relay connected to said key switch;   means, responsive to said collator means and connected to said fuel supply device, for energizing said control relay in response to said discord signal from said collator means when said fuel supply means is directly connected to said power source; and   alarm means, connected to said key switch and said control relay, for issuing an alarm in response to energization of said control relay therefrom.